Running for the "Scents" of it

I haven't been running since May 8th! Went on vacay and partied hard! The morning I returned on the red-eye I was beginning to get sick... really sick... fever, runny
nose, cough, can't get out of bed for 3 days sick. It took me a good two weeks to get back outside, and when I finally did, I felt like I was 90 years old!

Thank
goodness for Riley. He seems to have unlimited energy even with three weeks off. I've got to say that I don't think I could have done 4 miles without him pulling me along. About halfway through the run there is a nice long downhill stretch
and I opted to go for the full 4 miles because I felt great. MISTAKE. Got to come back up the hill. 3/4 of the way into it we hit the stretch where Riley really goes crazy. The sidewalk is lined with trees on one side and groundcover
on the other and is the hideout for wiley lizards. They run across the sidewalk as we are running by like squirrels across the road. Of course, Riley sees them and pulls me instantly after each and every one. You can actually hear his teeth
chomping down after them but he hasn't caught one yet! It is a great distraction as we get towards the end of the run.

As for the "scents," of running in the OC, I've
got to say that I have never been anywhere that smelled as good as this place. Currently there is a little groundcover blooming with mini-bell white flowers that smells so sweet! Everywhere along the route ornamental rosemary is planted, as well
as Alium, which with its purple blooms smells like a hint of garlic. Above the plantings, on the surrounding hills, wild sage and dill add to the overall olfactory delights! Honestly, with the marine breeze, the actual air just smells fresh and
crisp. It makes you want to run!